A is for Aden and Z is for Zanzabar


A is for Aden and Z is for Zanzibar... Now what is between? For the world wide classical era philatelist and stamp collector, a country specific philatelic survey is offered by the blog author, Jim Jackson, with two albums: Big Blue, aka Scott International Part 1 (checklists available), and Deep Blue, aka William Steiner's Stamp Album Web PDF pages. In addition, "Bud" offers commentary and a look at his completely filled Big Blue. Interested? So into the Blues...

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Liberia 1860-1914

1898-1905 Scott O31 2c bister & black "Hippopotamus"
Official stamp overprinted "O S" in red
Quick History
Liberia, meaning "Land of the Free", is located on the coast of equatorial west Africa. The Capital is Monrovia, and the population was 1,500,000 in 1940.

Liberia has an interesting history, to say the least. I will only be able to touch on some highlights here, but a more in depth historical reading by the WW stamp classicist is well worthwhile.

1736 map with the "Grain Coast" labeled
The Portuguese originally called the area the" Pepper Coast" because of the melegueta peppers found there. Later, the Dutch, then the British established some trading posts on the then called "Grain Coast". But no real settlement occurred until 1821, when the first of the free Blacks from the United States arrived.

How did that happen?

Beginning in about 1800, the idea took hold that establishing a colony in Africa could be one solution for the then 100,000+ freed American slaves.

The motives, though, were both altruistic laudatory and racist.

• Some freed slaves and their descendants, and white abolitionists believed that life there would be more free and egalitarian then what would be possible in the United States.

• On the other hand, slaveholders did not want freed slaves around, as that could foment rebellion; and so often also supported the concept.

* And many whites, although finding slavery distasteful, did not want to associate with blacks. But supporting a noble concept to repatriate the freed slaves would be quite socially acceptable.

So in 1816, the American Colonization Society was founded to return free Blacks to Africa, where, by presumption, they would enjoy greater freedom.

Many prominent politicians, including Henry Clay, and James Monroe (whom the Capital of Liberia-Monrovia- was named) supported and promoted the society. Even Abraham Lincoln was generally in favor, but later changed his mind. Lincoln's biographer Stephen B. Oates noted that Lincoln thought it was immoral to ask black solders to fight for the Union, then remove them to Africa after their military service.

The freed American Blacks, some 3000 in the early years, and called Americo-Liberians, did indeed found a country in 1847, with governance modeled after the U.S. constitution. Ironically, they did not associate with the natives: and the natives rejected them also. At least nine insurrections had to be put down between 1856-1920.

Monrovia in the 19th century
The Americo-Liberians, never constituting more than 5% of the total population, literally governed Liberia from 1847-1980, when a bloody coup d'état occurred.

So what about the stamp issues?

Genius!

If one was putting together a business plan during the classical era years to attract the most stamp collectors, what would one do?

• Put African safari animals, natives doing handicrafts, native abodes, and wild pictorial scenes on the stamps.
• Engrave them, and make many bi-colored in bright contrasting hues.
• Use the finest stamp printing firms and designers from London, Berlin, and New York for the stamp production.

You have Liberia. ;-)

Liberia's first stamp issue was in 1860 (representing "Liberia"), but the first bi-colored set came out in 1892. This was followed by long exotic sets produced in 1897, 1906, 1909, 1918, 1921, and 1923.

Then one almost doubles the production by the often different colored Official issue stamps. Finally, one has the many overprinted issues with a generous supply of errors and misprints.

Since there are many attractive stamps to review, I will publish two Liberian posts: the first covering 1860-1914, and the next covering 1915-1940.

Let's begin. 
1896 Scott 42 20c vermilion "Coat of Arms"
"The love of Liberty brought us here"
Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic catalogue, from 1860-1914, has 134 regular, 14 registration, 9 postage due, and 74 official, for a total of 231 major stamp descriptions. Of those, 127 are CV <$1-$2+ ( 55%). Clearly, there are many stamps available for the frugal WW classical collector.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Cents = 1 Dollar
1880 Scott 18 6c violet "Liberia"
The first nine stamps issued between 1860-1869 with the "Liberia" portrait are all rather expensive, with the cheapest CV $25. They vary in color, paper and outer frame line. Consult Scott for details as I don't have any. ;-)

The 1880 issue (illustrated above) are in new colors, have an outer frame line, and consist of 5 stamps. They all have a modest CV of $5. Scott states "counterfeits exist" without giving details.

1882 Scott 22 8c blue ; 1889 Scott 32 8c blue
The openings in the figure "8" have different patterns
In 1882, a two stamp set was issued with the denominations 8 cents and 16 cents. Note the 8c cent stamp from the issue above has slanted lines inside the "8".

Then in 1889, another 8 cent stamp was issued, this time with a network pattern inside the "8". Enlarge if necessary.

1885 Scott 24 1c carmine, on medium paper
1892 Scott 27 4c brown, on thin paper
In 1885, an 8 stamp issue was produced on "medium" paper, and perforations 11 1/2 X 10 1/2, 10 1/2. All but the highest denomination had a numeral design.

Then in 1892, the issue was reprinted, this time on thin paper, and perforations 11, 12, 14 1/2. Scott does not break out the reprints, or give them a minor number, but the Steiner album has spaces for both issues. Because of the differences in paper thickness and perforations, it is quite easy to separate them out. CV is $2 for 5 stamps.

1885 Scott 31 32c deep blue 
"From Arms of Liberia"
The highest denomination of the issue has this interesting "Coat of Arms" motif.

1892-96 Scott Scott 45 4c green & black "Elephant"
Now we are getting into the interesting designs! The 1892-96 issue has 17 stamps, with several featuring the large safari animals of Africa.

1892 Official Scott O2 2c blue "Liberian Star"
The 1892 issue is also found as an Official stamp with the small "official" overprint. This stamp shows the Liberian star design.

1896 Scott 40 15c slate 
"Vai Woman in Full Dress"
Another 1892-96 issue stamp has a native featured as illustrated. The Vai people are found predominately in Liberia. Despite the appearance of a native on this 1896 stamp, indigenous people were excluded from citizenship until 1904.

1896 Scott 44 25c yellow green "Liberian Star"
Several of the 1892-96 issue has this finely engraved design. The issue was  engraved  by Waterlow & Sons Ltd. on paper watermarked with a "rosette".

1892-96 Scott 47 $1 ultramarine & black "Hippopotamus"
Who can't resist a stamp like this? ;-)  If one was interested in a topical collection, this would inspire!

1892 Official Scott O12 $5 carmine & black
"President Johnson"
The Official stamp version of the $5 denomination is overprinted "official" in red -somewhat hard to see. President Johnson, an Americo-Liberian descendant, was the first president born in Africa.

1893 Scott 50 5c on 6c blue green
The first surcharge for Liberia was issued in 1893, and used the 1892 6c blue green "Oil Palm". This surcharge printing has a number of minor catalogue numbers because of mistakes. Over the succeeding years, there would be many more surcharges- and mistakes. ;-)

1897 Scott 64 3c red & green  "Inland Postage"
Scott 64a- Has 10 pearls above "Republic Liberia", rather than 13
The 1897 "Inland Postage" illustrated above comes in two flavors. The Scott 64 has 13 pearls above "Republic Liberia". The second stamp (Scott 64a) has only 10 pearls. The Scott 64a was actually a reprint, never issued. "Used" copies, as the one above, are CTO.

1894 Official Scott O26 5c violet & green, overprinted
"Commerce", Globe and Krumen natives
In 1894, a triangular stamp, both imperforate and rouletted, and as a regular and an official type (but in a different color) was issued. This is the first triangular shaped stamp for Liberia, followed by others. Liberia knew what appealed to stamp collectors....and, well, capitalized. ;-)

1898-1905 Scott O28 1c lilac rose "Oil Palm"
1900 Scott 55 1c deep green 
1897 was the date of a new design issue for Liberia, and to do double duty as officials, they were also overprinted as illustrated. (Of interest, Scott says the officials were overprinted in black or red. This definitely looks like a blue overprint though.)

1900 Official Scott O32 orange red & black "Hippopotamus"
The designs had some more pleasing large animal portraits. And each animal design was printed in several different color combinations.

The 1898-1905 Official issue had 15 stamps, with a CV of <$1-$3+. Actually, the higher denominations also used the regular stamps from the 1892-96 issue.

1905 Scott 59 2c rose & black "Hippopotamus"
This post shows three "Hippopotamus" design stamps with different colors. Here's the third one. Liberia was producing six stamps if one includes officials out of this design. Why not? What's not to like? ;-)

The regular 1897-1905 issue had 10 stamps with a CV of <$1-$5.

1905 Official Scott O36 5c ultramarine & black  "Elephant"
The "Elephant" design had six 5c denomination stamps ( if one includes the official issue) with three color combinations. Exploitative, yes, but oh the design!

1902 Scott 91 75c on $1, surcharged in carmine
Can't get enough Hippopatomi? Here's a 1902 surcharged stamp with CV >$10. And actually, the overprinted official stamps (two of them) of this design, which were then surcharged as above, are CV $2000+. !
1903 Scott 94 3c black "Liberty"
1903 Official Scott O43 3c green, overprinted
The 1903 "Lady Liberty" was printed in black, as illustrated. Then the official stamp was printed in green and had an overprint. The overprint exists in either "red" or "orange red". This stamp must be the latter.

1903 Scott 96 15c on 24c olive green/yellow
Stamps of 1892 surcharged in blue
Three stamps of the 1892 issue were surcharged in 1903. CV is $3-$6+.

1904 Scott 99 2c on 4c green & black 
Three more stamps were surcharged in 1904. I picked this one to illustrate, so the post can show all three of the color combinations of this "elephant" design. ;-)

1906 Scott 101 1c green & black "Elephant"
Knowing a good thing when they had it, Liberia produced another issue in 1906 with 13 stamps. Leading off was....the elephant. ;-)

1906 Official Scott O48 5c ultramarine & black "Chimpanzee"
Overprinted in various colors
An official issue was also produced with an overprinted as shown. CV for the 13 official stamps is <$1 for every stamp. The "Chimpanzee" design had to be popular.

1906 Official Scott O49 10c dull violet & black , overprinted
"Great Blue Touraco" 
The official issue, although using the designs of the regular 1906 issue, were mostly in their own unique colors, in addition to the overprint.

Great Blue Touraco
Too bad the stamp couldn't have also printed the Great Blue Touraco in its native colors. ;-)

1906 Scott 105 15c purple & deep green "Agama"
Insect eating lizards were illustrated also- here the "Agama". Fascinating.

1906 Scott 106 20c orange & black "Egret"
The egret - there are various kinds, nor sure which kind- was featured on the 20c denomination.

 1906 Official Scott O55 ultramarine & black, overprinted
"Pigmy Hippopotamus"
The Pigmy Hippo, nocturnal, and reclusive, is found mostly in Liberia. There are fewer than 3,000 in the wild today because of loss of habitat.

1909 Scott 114 3c on 10c red brown & black, surcharged
The regular colored issue was surcharged in 1909 for inland use. Compare this stamp to the official stamp shown earlier.

1909-12 Official Scott O63 15c claret & black
Overprinted in blue, "Vai Woman spinning Cotton"
Between 1909-12, an 11 regular stamp issue was produced, and an 11 official stamp issue was likewise produced. Besides being overprinted, most of the official issue is also in a different color combination.

1909-12 Official Scott O64 20c bister & green
"Blossom and Fruit of Pepper Plants"
Recall that Liberia was called the "Pepper Coast" by the Portuguese. Of the 11 stamp official issue, all are CV <$1.

1909-12 Scott 123 50c green & black
"Men in Canoe"
The 11 stamp regular issue has a CV of <$1 for all members.

1909-12 Official Scott O68 75c purple & black
"Liberian Village"
The highest denomination of the issue shows a "native" Liberian settlement. But the truth is the Americo-Liberian population that ruled Liberia were housed in domiciles more like this...

Old Liberian Executive Mansion
The Americo-Liberians were used to the architecture of the antebellum south, and so built similar habitations.

 1914 Scott 131 2c on 25c brown & black 
"Circular House"
In 1914, five stamps of the pictorial issues of 1906 and 1909 were surcharged in black, and there were four additional stamps surcharged for the officials. An example is shown above. CV is $3+ for the regular issues, and CV $5+-$10+ for the official issues.

1894 Registration Scott F9 10c rose/blue (Robertsport)
A category not often seen, but Liberia has, are the Registration stamps. They are, one would think, for registered mail that requires special handling. The four 1894 stamps are for different towns or areas. The CV is $5. The earlier black colored registration stamps of 1893 can have a very high CV- up to $4,000+!

1903 Registration Scott F12 10c green & black (Harper)
"President Garretson W. Gibson"
The five issued 1903 registration stamps are all inexpensive, with CV <$1. President Gibson was born in Maryland, and his family emigrated in 1835. He returned to Maryland to study, and was a rector in the Episcopalian Trinity Church in Monrovia. He was also Justice of the Peace, Secretary of Interior, and Secretary of State. He was the last president of Liberia to have been born in the United States.

1892 Postage Due Scott J2 6c on 6c olive gray
1885 regular issue, surcharged
The only postage due issues for Liberia during the classical era were produced in 1892 and 1893. Illustrated above is one of the two stamp surcharged issue for 1892. CV is $4-$10+.

1893 Postage Due Scott J7 10c green/lilac rose
A seven stamp postage due issue was produced in 1893, and that proved to be the last one for the classical era. The design is as above. CV is $1-$3. Sorry for the crooked specimen, but the "straightening tool" didn't work in this case. ;-)

Deep Blue
Some of the spaces for the Official 1898-1905 issue in Deep Blue
Deep Blue (Steiner) has 23 pages for the 1860-1914 era covered by this post. The Steiner does follow the Scott catalogue, so no difficulty putting in the stamps. What is curious, though, is the earlier issues (1860-1896) sometimes will have different color descriptions than those in the current Scott catalogue. For instance the 1880 Scott 18 6c "Liberia" is "dull purple" in Steiner, but "violet" in Scott. True, Steiner does not always follow Scott's color descriptions, especially for the British Commonwealth countries where Stanley Gibbons color descriptions are sometimes substituted. But I'm not sure at this time where the different color descriptions for Liberia were derived. 

1894 Scott 52 5c carmine & black 
"Commerce", Globe and Krumen natives
Big Blue
Big Blue '69, on two pages, has 52 spaces for the regular stamps of Liberia during the time period covered by this post. The specific coverage is for 1880-1913. There is no postage due coverage, and no coverage of registration stamps during this time period.

More importantly, there are no spaces for official stamps, a very important part of Liberia's output. 

Perhaps BB editors expected that the overprinted officials could go in the "regular" spaces? And recall, there are a not insignificant number of official stamps that have a different color compared to the regular issue.

A major fail.  :-(

Overall coverage for this time period (1860-1914) is 23%. If one excludes official stamps (74), then the coverage is 33%.

A look at an older edition- specifically the 1941- tells a different story.

There, an 1893 postage due stamp space, and  five 1903 registration stamp spaces are included.  More importantly, there are two pages of spaces for Official stamps. Of those, there are 24 official stamp spaces available for the era covered by this post.

Clearly, the Official category- two pages (One full page-front and back) was eliminated by the '69 editors.

But, for the purposes of the checklist, I will "put back" those spaces of official stamps that were included in the '41/'43/'47 editions.

Observations (Covers the 1860-1914 era)
• Only one stamp for Liberia in BB crosses the $10 CV barrier- and just.
• I found 36 additional stamps (CV <$1-$1+) for regular and official (in addition to the '41/'43/'47 edition inclusions) that are not in BB: specifically 9 regular and 27 official stamps.
• In view of the fact that Officials are not included in the '69, and there are 36 more stamps that are quite inexpensive, several supplementary pages might be advised.

Checklist
(Covers up to 1914)

1880
16,17,18,

1881
21

1885
24,25,(26),

1892
33,34,35,36,52 or 53,

1896
54,57*,60*,(55),64,

1900-05
56,58,61,94,

1904-06
96,99,101,102,103,

Next Page

1906
105,104,106,107,110,
108,109,111,112,113,

1909
115,116,118,119,120,
121,117,123,124,122,

1910-12
125,126,126B,

1910-12
127

1913
128,

1910-12
127E,

End of Page

(The following are not in the '69, but are in the '41/'43/'47 editions)

Registration Stamps
1903
F12,F10,F11,F13,F14,

Postage Due
1893
J3,

Official
1903
O43,

1906
O46,O48,O50,O55,
O47,O49,O51,O52,O53,O54,

1909-12
O59,O60,O62,O63,O64,
O65,O61,O67,O68,O66,

1909-12
O69,

1910-12
O70,O71,

End

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold):
1881 Scott 21 3c black ($10)
B) (  ) around a number indicates a blank space choice
C) *57,60- were issued in 1896 (actually 1897), which is the date BB specifies. True, there where same design stamps with different colors issued in 1900 and 1905, but I elected not to include them in these spaces because of date. And 58 and 61 are given spaces later in BB.

1898 Scott O34 5c lake & black "Elephant"
Out of the Blue
If one isn't attracted to the classic Liberian issues, well, then I can't help you. ;-)

Note: map, photos appear to be in the public domain.

Links
Liberia - Bud's Big Blue

I would love a comment!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Leeward Islands

1890 Scott 1 1/2p lilac & green "Victoria"
Note the "Antigua" postmark
Quick History
The "British" Leeward Islands, consisting of Antigua, Montserrat, St. Christopher ( St. Kitts), Nevis and Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, and Dominica (until 1940), is located in the West Indies southeast of Puerto Rico. The Capital was St. John's on Antigua, and the population was 98,000 in 1942.

 Map showing the Leeward Island grouping.
The "British" Leeward Islands issued stamps from 1890-1956, and they could be used on any of the islands. But the group was divided into Presidencies: Antigua (along with Barbuda and Redonda), Montserrat, St. Christopher (St. Kitts) with Nevis and Anguilla, the British Virgin islands, and Dominica. Each Presidency issued their own stamps valid within their territory.

Islands with their own stamp issues up to 1952
Antigua 1862-1951 (Only Leeward island stamps were used from 1890-1903)
Barbuda 1922
Montserrat 1876-1951 (Only Leeward island stamps were used from 1890-1903)
St. Christopher 1870-1888 (Replaced by Leeward island stamps in 1890. For later issues, see St. Kitts-Nevis)
St. Kitts-Nevis 1903-1951 (Only Leeward island stamps were used from 1890-1903)
• St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla 1952
Nevis 1861-1890  (Replaced by Leeward island stamps in 1890. For later issues, see St. Kitts-Nevis)
Virgin islands 1866-1952 (Only Leeward island stamps were issued from 1890-1903)
Dominica 1874-1951 (Only Leeward island stamps were issued from 1890-1903), ( Dominica became a separate colony under the governor of the Windward islands in 1940).

Composed of a group of quarrelsome sibling islands looking out for their own interest, the Leeward Islands Federation was only partially successful. They were rivals in selling their products (The sugar trade). St. Kitts and Nevis opposed sharing government funds with bankrupt Antigua and Montserrat. Unpopular though it was, "the one governor, one set of laws" for the Leeward Islands remained from 1871 until it was dissolved in 1956.

1909 Scott 41 1/2p brown "Edward VII"
Into the Deep Blue
The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalogue has 116 major description for the years 1890-1951.  Of those, 56 are CV <$1-$2+, or 48%. Almost all of the issues consist of the colonial key plate stamp design. No George V or VI pictorials either. ;-)

A closer look at the stamps and issues
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
20 Shillings = 1 Pound
1890 Scott 3 2 1/2p lilac & ultramarine "Victoria"
The initial stamp issue for all of the "British" Leeward islands consisted of 8 stamps with the above key plate "Victoria" design. Watermark 2, the "Crown and C A" are found, and the CV for 5 stamps is <$1-$7.

Then in 1897 this regular issue was handstamped overprinted for the Queen's Jubilee. !!! Three stamps are only CV $5-$7, but I don't have any at the moment. By the way, Scott states that counterfeits exist.

1902 Scott 20 1/2p violet & green "Edward VII"
A 9 stamp issue was introduced in 1902 with the "Edward VII" portrait. CV is <$1-$5 for 7 stamps. The watermark continued to be the "Crown and C A".

Recall that during 1890-1903, all of the islands were using the "Leeward Islands" stamps exclusively if my reading is correct. So, for this time period, the Leeward Islands stamps should be "abundant" and found (cancelled) for all the islands. Could make for an interesting side collection. ;-)

1907-11 Scott 42 1/2p green "Edward VII"
Ordinary paper, wmk 3 
Between 1905-11, a 12 stamp mostly chalky paper issue was produced. The colors can be the same as the 1902 issue, so attention to the wmk 3 "Multiple Crown & C A" is necessary. CV for 6 stamps is <$1-$7.

Then, between 1907-11, a 5 stamp issue in ordinary paper was forthcoming, also in wmk 3, but fortunately in different colors than the preceding issues. One then does not need to become an expert in chalky vs ordinary paper here, as I, for one, still have occasional difficulty with the determination.

1912 Scott 48 1p carmine "George V"
Die I: Note the crown clearly drops down into the vignette tablet
In 1912-1922, a 12 stamp definitive set in either ordinary and chalky paper was issued for the "George V" reign. Watermark 3 is still present. The design is Die I, where the crown is partially dropped down into the vignette tablet (See arrow). CV is $1+-$4+ for 8 stamps.

Be aware that in 1913, an additional three stamp issue was produced with surface colored paper only at much higher CV. For instance, the 3p violet/yellow can be found with the yellow showing on the back of the stamp (CV $21+), or the yellow not showing on the back of the stamp (surface colored paper- CV $60+).

1922 Scott 64 1p deep violet "George V": Wmk 4
 Die II: Note the crown only slightly drops down into the vignette tablet
Between 1921-32, another "George V" key plate set was issued, this time with watermark 4, "Multiple Crown & Script C A". The 22 stamp issue had a CV of <$1-$3+ for 11 stamps.

Also note this issue has Die II, another way to tell apart the 1912-22 issue with Die I.

For a fuller discussion on the Die I/Die II differences, see the Fiji post.

1932 Scott 70a 2 1/2p ultramarine "George V"
Has wmk 4, what Die is this?
So just when one thinks one has the rules straight, there is a stamp "curveball". ;-) Yes this is a wmk 4, but the Die here is......I ! Turns out the minor number Scott 70a issued in 1932 is a Die I stamp. ;-)

Left Upper: wmk 2, the "Crown and C A"
Right Upper: wmk 3, "Multiple Crown & C A"
Lower: wmk 4, "Multiple Crown & Script C A"
Here is a pic of the watermarks one will need to know for the Leeward islands. The only watermarks that are somewhat difficult to detect for the British colonies (at least for me) are those on colored paper.

1938-51 Scott 110 6p violet & red violet "George VI"
Between 1938-51, a "George VI" key plate definitive set was issued with 13 stamps. Of those, 7 are CV <$1-$1+.

1949 Scott 124 2 1/2p black & plum "George VI"
In 1949, an additional 6 stamps of the "1938 type" were produced. These were in different colors than the original issue. CV is <$1 for all of them.

1946 Scott 117 3p deep orange  "Peace Issue"
I usually don't show omnibus issues, as they are all the same- so what's the point? ;-) But here is the common design type for the "Peace Issue" for the Leeward Islands with a great "St. Kitts" postmark. In fact, since the Leeward Islands stamps are the generic issues for all the islands, collecting by postmark would make them more interesting, in my opinion.

1951 Scott 131 12c lilac & rose carmine
"University Issue"
Another common design type for the West Indies, but much more intriguing, is the 1951 issue for the University College of the West Indies with a portrait of Princess Alice as chancellor. How charming. ;-)

Deep Blue
The George VI 1938-51 issue in Deep Blue
Deep Blue (Steiner) has seven pages for the Leeward islands covering 1890-1951. The spaces follow the modern Scott catalogue for major numbers exactly. Nice!

1922 Scott 68 2p gray "George V"
Big Blue
Big Blue '69 entry for the Leeward Islands is found after Lebanon, on the same page as Madeira. It consists of 1 page and 2 lines, and there are 44 spaces between the years 1890-1938. Coverage is 38%.

Update: Joe (see comments) notes that only 13 spaces exist for the '97 edition. It appears one whole page (31 spaces) was not put into the "97 edition- possibly inadvertent. The only other difference in content that I am aware of between the '69 and '97 editions is the absence of Anjouan in the '97.

Observations...
• although the CV is not cheap (It is, after all, a British colony), no stamps cross the $10 threshold.

• BB provides the usual one space for wmk1/ wmk2, and wmk3 Die I/ wmk 4 Die II definitive choices.

• In several instances BB asks for colors that are now minor numbers. I list the specifics in the comment section, and as per protocol, I include the major numbers as choices. 

Checklist

1890
1,2,3,

1902-08*
20 or 29, 21 or 30, (22), (23),

1907-11
41,42,43*,45,(44),(34)

Next Page

1912-32*
46 or 61, 47 or 62, 48a or 48*, 49 or 69, 50 or 70, 51 or 58 or 72, 74, 53 or 75,

1931-32 (Actually 1921-32)
63,64,65,66,73,(69),(71),

1935
96,97,98,99,

1937
100,101,102,

1938
103,104,105,106,107,108,109a or 109*,
110,111, 

End 

Comments
A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold): None
B) (  ) around a number indicates a blank space choice
C) *1902-08 Choices are for wmk 2 or wmk 3
D) *1912-32 Choices are for wmk 3 or wmk 4,  also Die I or Die II
E) *43 BB has "1p scarlet", but it is "1p red" in the catalogue
F) * 48a or 48 -BB calls for 1p scarlet (48a), but major number is now 1p carmine (48)
G) *109a or 109- BB calls for 3p brown orange (109a), but major number is now 3p dull orange (109)

1942 Scott 111 1 sh black/emerald "George VI"
Out of the Blue
As the Leeward islands issues were the "generic" definitive stamps for all the islands, and no pictorials are included, not terribly exciting. ;-) But collecting with a readable island cancel would definitely add spice.

Note: West Indies map appears to be in the public domain

Links
Bud's Big Blue - Leeward Islands

Have a comment?